In the biblical context, the term "criminals" refers to individuals who engage in actions that are against the laws of God and society. The Bible addresses the concept of crime and punishment extensively, providing both historical accounts and moral teachings that guide the understanding of justice and righteousness.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law, given through Moses, outlines various crimes and their corresponding punishments. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational moral code, prohibiting acts such as murder, theft, and bearing false witness. These commandments highlight the importance of maintaining a just and orderly society.

The Mosaic Law prescribes specific penalties for different offenses. For example, Exodus 21:12 states, "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must surely be put to death." This reflects the principle of retributive justice, where the punishment corresponds to the severity of the crime. Other crimes, such as theft, required restitution: "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep" (Exodus 22:1).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from the legalistic application of the law to the spirit of the law, emphasizing mercy, forgiveness, and redemption. Jesus Christ's teachings often addressed the heart and intent behind actions, rather than just the actions themselves. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the understanding of the law, teaching that anger and hatred are akin to murder (Matthew 5:21-22).

The New Testament also records instances of criminals and their interactions with Jesus. One notable example is the account of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. In Luke 23:39-43, one of the criminals acknowledges his guilt and asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus responds, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). This interaction underscores the themes of repentance and grace.

Justice and Authority

The Bible acknowledges the role of governing authorities in maintaining justice and order. Romans 13:1-4 emphasizes that authorities are instituted by God to punish wrongdoers and commend those who do right. "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will have his approval" (Romans 13:3).

Moral and Spiritual Implications

While the Bible recognizes the necessity of legal systems to address crime, it also calls for personal transformation and moral accountability. Believers are encouraged to live righteously and to avoid actions that lead to criminal behavior. Galatians 5:19-21 lists "acts of the flesh" such as hatred, discord, and jealousy, warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:21).

Ultimately, the biblical narrative presents a holistic view of crime and justice, balancing the need for societal order with the call for individual repentance and divine forgiveness.4669. smurnizo -- to be like myrrh, to mingle with myrrh
... 4669 (from 4666 , "myrrh") -- properly, mingle with , a herb given to help
deaden the pain of criminals sentenced to crucifixion. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4669.htm - 7k

2557. kakourgos -- a criminal
... 112" (). Word Origin from kakos and the same as ergon Definition a criminal
NASB Word Usage criminal (1), criminals (3). a criminal. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2557.htm - 7k

3148. mastix -- a whip, scourge
... Probably from the base of massaomai (through the idea of contact); a whip (literally,
the Roman flagellum for criminals; figuratively, a disease) -- plague ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3148.htm - 7k

4027. perikatharma -- that which is cleaned off, refuse
... [4027 () literally refers to the rubbish left-over after "cleansing all ." The Greeks
used 4027 () "of criminals kept at the public expense, to be thrown into ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4027.htm - 7k

The Criminal and his Relation to Society.
... Is society responsible for producing criminals? ... II. THE MAKING OF A CRIMINAL. Paul
said, "All men have sinned." Are all men therefore criminals? ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study iii the criminal and.htm

The Scourging of Jesus.
... The pillar where criminals were scourged stood to the north of Pilate's palace,
near the guard-house, and the executioners soon arrived, carrying whips, rods ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxii the scourging of.htm

When Celsus Adds, "We must Therefore Believe that Men are ...
... But when Celsus compares us to notorious criminals, who justly suffer punishment
for their crimes, and does not shrink from placing so laudable a purpose as ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter liv when celsus adds.htm

If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... If, again, it is certain that we are the most wicked of men, why do you treat us
so differently from our fellows, that is, from other criminals, it being only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ii if again it.htm

Self-Denial Versus Self-Assertion.
... As unbelievers, we were condemned criminals; as believers, we are pardoned criminals;
and whatever of good is found in us is but imparted, and to GOD alone is ...
/.../taylor/a ribband of blue/self-denial versus self-assertion.htm

The Burial
... were buried on the spot, crosses and all, or they were hurriedly carried off to
some obscure and accursed ditch, where the remains of criminals were wont to be ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xxiii the burial.htm

God's Banished Ones
... those of God's way of treating criminals against His law, of whom she says that
He spares their lives, and devises means-or, as the words might perhaps be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gods banished ones.htm

The Crucifixion.
... Sabbath. The Romans left the bodies of criminals hanging upon the cross until
beasts and birds of prey, or putrefaction, removed them. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 4.htm

The Morning Trial.
... They ordered the archers to tie his hands again, and to fasten a chain round his
neck (this was usually done to criminals condemned to death), and they then ...
/.../chapter xiii the morning trial.htm

Letter cxxxiii. (AD 412. )
... For although we might silently pass over the execution of criminals who may be regarded
as brought up for trial not upon an accusation of ours, but by an ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxiii a d 412.htm

Criminals (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Criminals (4 Occurrences). Luke 23:32 There were also
others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/criminals.htm - 7k

Crucified (42 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified
him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. ...
/c/crucified.htm - 19k

Hanging (82 Occurrences)
... (as a punishment), a Mark of infamy inflicted on the dead bodies of criminals
(Deuteronomy 21:23) rather than our modern mode of punishment. ...
/h/hanging.htm - 35k

Crimson (10 Occurrences)

/c/crimson.htm - 10k

Nailed (9 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:33 When they reached the place called 'The Skull,' there they nailed Him
to the cross, and the criminals also, one at His right hand and one at His left ...
/n/nailed.htm - 9k

Ordinary (17 Occurrences)
... ecclesiastical; an ecclesiastical judge; also, a deputy of the bishop, or a clergyman
appointed to perform divine service for condemned criminals and assist in ...
/o/ordinary.htm - 12k

Leg (24 Occurrences)
... We know from Roman and Greek authors that this was done as a coup de grace to
shorten the miseries of criminals condemned to die on the cross. ...
/l/leg.htm - 19k

Gehenna (12 Occurrences)
... city. Here the dead bodies of animals and of criminals, and all kinds of
filth, were cast and consumed by fire kept always burning. ...
/g/gehenna.htm - 15k

Gazing-stock (2 Occurrences)
... unto the world," the King James Version margin "(Greek) theater." The reference
in both instances is to the custom of exhibiting criminals, and especially ...
/g/gazing-stock.htm - 9k

Gallows (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (n. sing.) A frame from which is suspended the rope with which criminals are
executed by hanging, usually consisting of two upright posts and a crossbeam on ...
/g/gallows.htm - 10k

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